Health Convention

Ministry of Health is organising a Health Convention in commemoration of 100 years of health services in Brunei Darussalam on 15 - 18 November 2007. Events organised for the convention are the Brunei Health Expo (15 - 18 Nov), Health Conference (15 - 17 Nov) and Health Carnival (18 Nov).

Registration is free for the Health Conference. To register, please email health100years@hotmail.com or fax 2380687. Click here for the programme.

MRCGP Examination

Monday, November 12, 2007

BRUNEI, the first Southeast Asian country to be accredited with the Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners (MRCGP) International qualification, yesterday hosted the annual prestigious examination sat by 19 local and foreign candidates.

The MRCGP examination, often regarded as an end-point assessment for general practice for those completing vocational training, is a quality marker mandatory for all new doctors when entering general practice in the UK.

The majority of candidates are doctors at an early stage of their careers who wish to join the Royal College as well as established family doctors.

The MRCGP (International) enables a country or region to develop an examination at the same level and academic rigour as the MRCGP in the UK appropriately tailored to local clinical needs, culture, history, epidemiology, health practices and education systems and is designed to address the assessment of the competencies of Family Doctors in their country or region.

Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) achieved MRCGP (International) accreditation for the Family Medicine examination in November 2003.

Internal Development Advisor at St. George's University of London, Dr Caroline Starkey, and Dr Richard Wakeford of Cambridge University invigilated yesterday's examinations at the UBD Chancellor Hall and the Civil Service Institute in Rimba.

UBD's Vice Chancellor Dato Paduka Dr Hj Ismail Hj Duraman and the Ministry of Health's Director General of Health Services Datin Paduka Dr Hjh Intan Hj Salleh were also present to meet the candidates for 'Module 2, Objective Structured Clinical Examination' from Brunei (12 candidates), Malaysia, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.

Results of the examination, held every November, are expected to be out by next month.

Brunei has so far successfully produced four MRCGP (International) graduates.

The Brunei Times

In Focus: Farah

How old are you?
22! Yea…young, single but not available ;D
What’s your favourite animal?
Hmm..I like horse. I like cats too but im scared of holding them :p
Do you like having your picture taken? Why?
Duhh…I LOVE having my picture taken bcoz its what I do best!
What size of shoe do you wear?
Aha.I have tiny tiny feet. Depends on the brand/the types, but usually 4/5.
What do you do most when you’re bored?
bully, annoy or pester other people :p if im not doing that, I would go out watch movies or sumthing..as long as im out of the house =p
3 things about yourself
1-Laugh-addict
2-crazy, funky but sweet
3-Shoe-holic
Math or Science?
Science
Gym or music?
Music
Favourite type of ice cream
Anything with chocolate or mango flavour.
Had you been in accident?
Yup, once when I was in my 1^st year. I was driving back to UBD after dplacement in RIPAS hospital that morning. Two of my friends were with me that time. It was a horrible experience, but luckily no one was injured.
What is your favourite TV show?
Waa..a lot of favourites! Oprah Winfrey, Friends, LOST, CSI Las Vegas, Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, House, Miami Ink, any traveling shows and a lot more.
Favourite food?
Love teh tarik, vitasoy and banana.
Define love
Loving someone isn't when you picture yourself with them, it's realizing that you can't live without them.
Any celebrity crushes?
Wentworth Miller…he’s soooo gorgeous!
3 things your hate
1-Lizard
2-Failing in anything i do..careers, education, health, love..
3-Gaining weight
This year’s resolution?
1-Work harder, Less procrastinating & Pass my H.Science degree with flying colours
2- Control myself from spending a lot on shoes
3- Get fit
Your MSN Nick?
Some live for the bill, Some kill for the bill àdun worry ;p its just some lyrics I got frm a song im currently listening to
Current mood?
At the moment, I’m feeling:
-Worried about my PPD portfolio
-Sad coz I miss my special sum1
-Hate coz Im gaining weight
Best childhood memory?
Spending time with my aunty who took care of me since I was still a baby and playing around with my brothers.
Whose car were you last?
My car la…

IM Hari Raya Celebration

Last Wednesday, the parking lots were full of cars as we were having a food feast-a! We hosted the Hari Raya Celebration this year with 'open-house' concept. For more pictures from the open house, click here.

Biggest Book Fair on Water

MV Doulos Last Voyage To Brunei
By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - MV Doulos, the world's oldest ocean-going passenger ship, arrives at Muara Port tomorrow, from Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia.

Its upcoming visit to Brunei Darussalam, from Oct 27 to Nov 2, will most probably be the last for the ship.

Subject to international marine regulations, the ship is required to be scrapped by 2010. Therefore, this will be the last chance for Bruneians to board a ship that was built two years after the famous Titanic.

Currently the talk of the town, MV Doulos is known internationally for its onboard Book Fair, cultural performances, a multinational crew and a rich history.

Its stay in Brunei has been made possible by Diamond Sponsor NBT (Brunei) Sdn Bhd and Gold Sponsor Sheraton Utarna Hotel. The handling agency is Tri-Star Shipping & Trading Co Sdn Bhd.

It last visited Brunei Darussalam in 1999, when it was opened by the then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports. Over 18,000 visitors, including His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, visited the Book Fair onboard.

Its next port of call is the Philippines where it will undergo its annual dry docking and technical maintenance.

Early next year, the ship will head to Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

The 130-metre-long vessel offers the onboard Book Shop with over 6,000 titles on art, education, cooking, management, sports, dictionaries and many more, for sale.

These books are chosen to meet the educational and social needs of the local community; a large selection is devoted especially to children.

There will be many opportunities for the public to enjoy different events during the opening hours of the Book Fair.

The crew will entertain and give an open house on 'The World in Brunei'. Those interested can meet and befriend members of the international crew; learn more about countries around the world and life onboard this historic ship.

Short cultural programmes with colourful dances, songs and dramas from all around the world will be performed for the interest of the public.

Members of the public also can explore nations around the world and witness more of life and work onboard this unique ship.

Those who wish to visit the ship are required to bring their identification card for security clearance.

Entrance is free. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Quote of the week

"It's good to shut up sometimes."
--Marcel Marceau

Hari Raya Celebration with HM- @ICC

Our highlights for this week is the picture taken and posted in Brudirect and printed in BB today relating to the article below. Mainly the picture is the main highlight ...hehe...enjoy!

Scholars, Students Are Role Models Of Society
By Lyna Mohamad & Zaim Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - Scholars in their respective fields have different roles to play in developing the nation and are the human capital generators, while students on the other hand must be seen as educated citizens. Scholars and students are role models on the basis of their ideals and characteristics.

"All of us and those who administrate educational affairs must provide them with support, not just morally but also financial support to achieve excellence," said the ruler.

As an example, added His Majesty, academic members who are aware of their respective expertise and have the authority to carry out research in their respective fields, should be able to find practical solutions to current issues that are being faced by the community, be they on economy, finance or medicine.

The global community today faces the dilemma of poverty and in this regard His Majesty asked why experts are not taken advantage of to study issues that are increasing poverty and how to overcome them.

The same applies in the field of economy. Experts should be used to guide, advise and create new ideas that are more innovative and progressive so that SMEs will develop to the extent of becoming catalysts in the nation's growth.

In the field of finance, His Majesty asked why experts are not involved in doing research on fundamental issues to develop finance and Islamic insurance.

His Majesty's pertinent points are hoped to be a reference to be shared by all. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

In Focus: Sonia Raj

How long is your hair?
Long! Below my shoulder
Last thing you drank?
Water!
Are you happy right now?
Yes, Very
What colour are your eyes?
Grey now. Sometimes brown, usually black (w/o contacts)
How was your weekend?
Good! Busy preparing for SSM3, *very nervous*, watching movies!
What is your favourite store/s?
This fashion in S'pore
What were your doing at midnight last night?
Chaterring on msn :)
Are your lefthanded?
No !
When is your birthday?
4th July 1986
How tall are you?
174cm :)
Who made your laugh today? Why?
I made myself laugh! -haha- (during lecture)
Are you the only child or do you have siblings?
1 elder bro, 2 younger sister - middle child syndrome :(
What was the first thing you thought when you woke up?
If I could sleep 10 extra mins. PLEASE!
What is your favourite subject in school?
Biology
Lipton or Nescafe?
BOTH!
Sugarbun or Jollibee?
Neither! Don't like both
What’s one of your favourite things to do?
Have a good conversation with close friends
Favourite cartoon character?
Spongebob
What is the last thing you cooked?
Campbell mushroom soup (from the can)
What is your favourite smell?
Davidoff ECHO, Clinique Happy, very sexy scent!
Interesting vacation?
...Genting highlands, Penang, and of course home for SSM was a good vacation.

Hari Raya Celebration by Yayasan

Bandar Seri Begawan - His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday consented to attend the Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Foundation Hari Raya celebration at the Plenary Hall of ICC, Berakas.

Accompanying His Majesty were HRH Prince Haji Al Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office; HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, ILRH Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and HRH Prince Abdul Malik.

Towards the end of the event, His Majesty and the royal entourage consented to receive greetings from the participants.

His Majesty also posed for group photos with some of the participants. --

Click here for more pics

Hari Raya Open House Pics

Here are some pics during the celebration. Pics taken during Dr Mas, Dr Nurol and Dr Roselina Open House.

Click here to see more